Lubricating device



I. SCRANTON.

' LUBRICATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5,1919.

1L %8 ,%96o Patented 0%..17, 192230 fi'i Z 32 i 3 I 4 M Z r -[EFOLGZ50/10/7157? orriee.

SCRANTON, 0F DECATUR, ILLINOIS.

LUBRICATING DEVICE.

Application filed July 5,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISRAEL SCRANTON, a citizen of the United States,residin at Decatur, in the county of Macon and tate of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Lubricating Devices, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in lubricating devices andparticularly for lubricating axles, driving boxes and the like.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of such a device andconstruction which gives most efficient results in pract cal operation,which is simple in construction and readily installed and removed andwhich thoroughly lubricates and reduces the lateral wear to a minimum. I

Further objects of this invention will ap pear from a consideration ofthe following specification.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as mayhereinafter appear, my invention consists in the construction,combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and then souht to be defined in the appended claims, re erence bein had to theaccompanying drawings forming a part hereof and which shows merely forthe purpose of illustrative disclosure one embodiment of my invention,it being expressly understood, however, that various changes may be madein practice within the scope of the claims without digressing from myinventive idea.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal section through a driving boxconstructed and equipped with devices embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional and elevational view taken substantially on line22 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially online 33 of Fig. 1, and looking in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. 4 is a detailed section indicating the means for fastening thesprings in position.

In the drawings the numeral 1 designates an axle to which the wheel 2 issecured, this wheel being provided with a brass hub plate 3, as in thecase of locomotive driving wheels and the like. The box 4 is supportedon the axle and is of customary construction with the exceptionshereinafter ointed out, and has the flat hub face 5 an the usual driv-Serial no. 243,268.

shown, and provided with the apertures 9 therethrough.

The cellar as a whole is designated by the reference character 10 andincludes the I straight side members 11, the rear end member 12 and afront end member 13, as well as the top member 14 which is of concaveshape to fit the axle, as is well understood. This top member 14 isformed with a plurality of perforations or of reticulate material inorder to permit the passage of the lubricant therethrough, as is wellunderstood. Mounted for movement within the receptacle formed by theside members 11, the end members 12 and 13 and the top member 14 is thefollower plate 15, around the edges of which I provide the gasket 16 fortight engagement with the sides and ends of this receptacle.

This device is adapted for use with either a hard lubricant or what iscalled a soft lubricant, such as soft grease or hard oil, and in theevent of the use of the latter, I interpose a layer of felt 17underneath the top member 14, so as to restrict the supply of lubricantto the axle and hub. It is also to be noted that in the hub end plate13, I provide a series of apertures or openings 18 for the purpose ofsupplying a suitable supply of lubricant directly to the inner face ofthe hub plate and thereby prevent lateral wear by providing properlubrication at this point, but it is to be expressly understood that Imay provide any number of these holes or apertures instead of the singleseries or row, as shown.

In order to provide a sustained pressure against the follower plate 15sufiicient to cause the proper feed of. the lubricant through the topmember 14 and the hub end member 13, I support the coil spring 19 on theplate member 20 which extends transversely across the lower part of thecellar from one side member 11 to the other, this plate member 20 beingslightly dished so as to receive the lower end of the spring 19,

which is preferably of inclined or conical This spring 19 is merely forthe ing the lubricant to the axle a whole, in proper position, I providethe stronger spring 21, which is of double conical shape and the upperend of which embraces the projection in the plate 20 formed by dishingthe same. The lower end of this spring 21 is supported in the su1tablesupporting plate 22. This plate 22 is tself supported from suitablespreader acks, hereinafter described, which are, interposed between thespaced legs or lugs 8 of the box construction to prevent the box fromclosing or for opening the box if it closes when the cellar is removed.Each spreader jack comprises a body member 24 having the reduced screwthreaded portion 25 which receives the internally threaded sleeve part26, the ends of each of these elements being provided with shoulders forengagement with the inner faces of the legs or lug 8 and the outersurface of which is formed of a polygonal shape for the application of asuitable tool. Each spreader jack as a whole, is provided with anaperture therethrough to permit the passage of the securing pin or bolt27, one end of which is downturned, as at 28, and the other end of whichreceives the cotter pin or other suitable fastening 29. Plate 22 has itsends turned or looped around each spreader jack whereby it is properlysupported in position.

It is to be noted that the follower plate 15 is provided with aperturesto receive the usual filler tubes 30 and also that the springs may besecured to their various plates by any suit-able means, the clip 31shown in detail in Fig. 4, being one construction for that purpose.

This construction, therefore, is seen to be a very simple one foraccomplishing the efficient lubrication, not only of the axle, but alsoof the bearing plate of the hub of the wheel, thereby reduclng thelateral wear so that the brasses or other bearings have to be renewedonly after a considerable and large amount of travel. It is also to benoted that the lower spring 21 in addition to holding the cellar up toits normal operat-v ing position against the axle also tends to forcethe cellar toward the hub of the wheel so that in the case of lateralmovement of the wheel the spring will always cause a sort of tilting orsidewise movement of the cellar so that the hub face thereof will alwaysbe in engagement with the hub plate and thereby efficiently lubricatethe same and reduce the wear thereof.

It is also in order to reduce the wear of this brass hub plate and theother parts that I provide the dust ring construction. This comprisesthe substantially circular bearing ring 32 provided at intervals withsuitable socket members 33 to receive the springs 34, the constructionas a whole fitting in a suitable groove orrecess 35 formed in the outeror hub face of the box 4. This groove or recess is of suchdepth that thering 33 may be forced therein flush with the outer face of the box 4;.It is to be noted that the ring is not in the form of a complete circle,the

hub plate 3 at all times to prevent the ingress of dirt, dust and othermaterial which would increase the wear and tear on these parts. I

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a device of the character described, and in combination with anaxle box, an axle passing therethrough and a wheel on one end of saidaxle with its hub bearing against said axle box, a lubricant cellarmovably mounted between the legs of the axle box and arranged to applylubricant to the axle and to the hub and means for holding the cellar asa whole in position against the'axle and against the hub.

2. In a device of the character described and in combination with anaxle box, an axle passing therethrough, and a wheel on one end of saidaxle with its hub bearing agamst said axle box, a lubricant cellarmovably mounted between the legs of the axle box, said cellar having anopen bottom and a follower plate therein and arranged to apply lubricantto the axle and to the hub, and means for holding the cellar as a wholein osit-ion against the axle and against the hub 3. In a device of thecharacter described and in combination with an axle box, an axle passingtherethrough, and a wheel on one end of said axle with its hub bearingagainst said axle box, a lubricant cellar movably mounted between thelegs of the axle box, said cellar having openings in its top member andalso in its hub end for applying lubricant to the axle and to the hub,and means for holding the cellar as a whole in position with the topmember against the axle and with the hub end against the hub.

4. In a device of the character described and in combination with anaxle box, an axle passing therethrough, and a wheel on one end of saidaxle with its hub bearing against said axle box, a lubricant cellarmovably mounted between the legs of the axle box, said cellar having anopen bottom and a follower plate therein and also having openings in itstop member to permit the application of lubricant to the axle andopenings in its hub end member to permit the application of lubricant tothe hub, a support ing member extending across thebottom of the cellarand a spring supported thereby and engaging said follower platetorturoing the lubricant out of the cellar and means for holding thecellar as a whole in position with the top member against the axle andwith its hub member against the hub.

- 5. In a device of the character described and in combination with anaxle box, an axle passing therethrough, and a wheel on one end of saidaxle with its hub bearing against said axle box, a lubricant cellarmovably mounted between the legs of the axle box, said cellar having anopen bottom and a follower plate therein and also having openings in itstop member to permit the application of lubricant to the axle andopenings in its hub end member to permit the application of lubricant tothe hub, a

supporting member extending across the bottom of the cellar and a springsupported thereby and engaging said follower plate for forcing thelubricant out of the cellar and an additional supporting element located below the bottom of the cellar, and a spring resting on saidadditional supporting element and engaging said first mentioned supportfor holding the cellar in position with the top member against the axleand with the hub member against the hub.

6. ln a device of the character degcribed and in combination with anaxle box, an axle passing therethrough, and-a wheel on one end of saidaxle with its hub bearing against said axle box, a lubricant cellarmovably mounted between the legs of the axle box, said cellar having anopen bottom and a follower platetherein and also having openings in itstop member to permit the application of lubricant to the axle andopenings in its hub end member to permit the application of lubricant tothe hub, a supporting member extending across the bottom oi the cellarand a spring supported thereby and engaging said follower plate forforcing the lubricant out of the cellar and an additional supportingelement located below the bottom of the cellar, and a spring resting onsaid additional supporting element and engaging said first mentionedsupport for holding the cellar in position with the top member againstthe axle and with the hub member against the hub, said last mentionedspring being stronger and longer than the first men tioned spring so asto permit a tilting move ment of the cellar as a whole relative to thelast mentioned support while maintaining the pressure of the springtending to force the cellar against the hub.

7. lln a device of the character described and in combination with anaxle box, an axle passing therethrough, and a Wheel on one end of saidaxle with its hub bearing against said axle box, a lubricant cellarmovably mounted between the legs of the axle box,

spreading members detachably mounted between the legs of the axle box soas to hold them apart, a supporting member connected to said spreadingmember anda spring resting on said supporting member and engaging saidcollar for holding the same in position with the top member against theaxle Find with the hub end member against the 8. In a device of. thecharacter described and in combination with an axle box, an axle passingtherethrough, and a wheel on one end of said axle with its hub bearingagainst said axle box, a lubricant cellar movably mounted between thelegs of the axle box, said cellar having an open bottom and a followerplate therein and arranged to apply lubricant to the axle and also tothe hub, a supporting member connected to the lower end of the cellar, aspring supported thereby arranged to exert pressure against the followerplate, spreader members detachably connected to the legs of the axle boxfor holding the same apart, another sup" porting member connected tosaid spreader members and another spring mounted on said last mentionedsupporting member and engaging said first mentioned support for holdingsaid cellar in position with its top member against the axle and withits hub end member against the hub.

9'. in a device of the character'descr'ibed and in combination with anaxle box, an axle passing therethrough, and a wheel on one end of saidaxle with its hub bearing against said axle box, a lubricant cellarmovably mounted between the legs of the axle box, said cellar having anopen bottom and a follower plate therein and arranged to apply lubricantto the axle and also to the hub, a supporting member connected to thelower end of the cellar, a spring supported thereby arranged 'to exertpressure against the follower plate, spreader members detachabl'yconnected to the legs of the axle box l for holding the same apart.another supporting member connected to said spread members and anotherspring mounted on said last mentioned supporting member and engagingsaid first mentioned support for holding said cellar in position withits top member against the axle and with its hub end. member against thehub, each spreader member including a pair of shouldered membersadjustable relative to each other,

the shoulders being adapted to engage the.

legs of the axle box and a bolt passing through said members anddetachably mounted within the apertures in the legs of the axle box forholding the spreader members against unintentional detachment from theirproper position. 0

10. In a device of the character described and in combination with anaxle box, an axle passing therethrough, and a wheel on one end of saidaxle with its hub bearing against said axle box, a lubricant cellarmovably mounted between the legs of the axle box, spreading membersmounted between the legs of the axle box soas to hold them apart, andmeans for holdlng the cellar 1n position so as to lubricate the axle.

11. In a device of the character described and in combination with anaxle box, an axle passing therethrou h, and a wheelon one end of saidaxle with its hub bearlng against said axle box, a lubricant cellarmovably mounted between the legsof the axle box and arranged to applylubricants to the axle and to the hub, and a single spring for holdingthe cellar in position against .the axle and against the hub.

12. In a device of the character described and in combination with anaxle box, an axle passing therethrough, and a wheel on one end of saidaxle with its hubbearing against said axle box, a lubricant cellarmounted for horizontal and vertical movement as a whole between the legsof the axle box so as to apply lubricants to the axle and also to thehub and means for holding the cellar against the axle and also againstthe hub of the wheel.

13. In a device of the character described and in combination with anaxle box, an axle passing therethrough, and a wheel on one end of saidaxle w1th its hub bearing against said axle box, a lubricant cellarmova-bly mounted between the legs of the axle box and arranged to applylubricant to the axle and to the hub, meansfor holding the cellar inposition against the axle and against the hub, the upper plate of saidcellar being perforated and a layer of felt positioned in said cellardirectly underneath said perforated plate to control the feed of thelubricant.

14. In a device of the character described and in combination with anaxle box, an axle passing therethrough and a Wheel on one end of saidaxle w1th its hub bearing against said axle box, a lubricant cellarmovably mounted between the legs of the axle box and arranged'to applylubricant to the axle and to the hub, one end of said cellar bearingagainst the hub of the wheel and means for holding the cellar inposition against the axle and against the hub, a dust ring movably andresiliently mounted in th'; hub face'of the axle box and bearing againstthe hub of the wheel so as to revent the entrance of dust to the hub aceof the wheel and box and also to the axle.

15. In a device of the character described and in combination with anaxle box an axle passing therethrough and a wheel on one end of saidaxle with its hub bearing against said axle box, a lubricant cellarmovably mounted'between the legs 'of the axle box and arranged to applylubricant to the nasaaea axle and to the hub, one end of said cellarbearing against the hub of the wheel and means for holding the cellar inposition against the axle and against the hub, the hub face of the axlebox being provided with a circular groove, a ring member fitting in saidgroove and resilient means for normally forcing said ring member out ofsaid groove and against the hub of the wheel, so as to prevent theentrance of dust between the hub face of the box and the hub of thewheel and the axle.

16. In a device of the character described and in combination with anaxle box, an axle passing therethrou h and a wheel on one end of saidaxle witfi its hub bearing against sald axle box, a lubricant cellarmovably mounted between the legs of the axle box and arranged to applylubricant to the axle and to the hub, one end of said cellar bearingagainst the hub of the wheel, and means for holding the cellar inposition against the axle and against the hub, a dust ring yieldinglymounted between the hub face of the axle box and the hub of the wheel soas to prevent the entrance of dust to the hub fa lze of the wheel andbox and also to the ax e.

17. In a device of the character described and in combination with anaxle box, an axle passing therethrough and a wheel on one end of saidaxle with its hub bearing against said axle box, a lubricantcellarmovablymounted between the legs of the axle box and arranged toapply lubricant to the axle and to the hub, one end of said cellarbearing against the hub of the wheel, and means for holding the cellarin position against the axle and against the hub, the hub end of thecellar being of suflicient length to cover the lower portion of thebrass hub plate, and a dust ring ieldingly mounted between the hub faceof the axle box and the hub of the wheel, the lower ends of said ringterminating short of each other, a distance apart equal to the width ofthe cellar.

18. In a device of the character described and in combination with anaxle box, an. axle passing therethrough, and a wheel on one end of saidaxle with its hub bearing against said axle box, a lubricant cellarmounted for horizontal and vertical move- 'IIIBIIt as a whole, betweenthe legs of the axle box so as to apply lubricants to the axle and alsoto the hub, and a member yieldingly and ositively moving said cellarboth horizontal y and verticall at the same time.

19. In a device of the c aracter described, and in combination with anaxle box, an axle passing therethrou h and a wheel on oneend of saidaxle wit its hub bearing against said axle box, a lubricant cellarmovably mounted between the legs of the axle box and arranged to apply alubricant 'to the i ,aeaaee axle and to the hub, and means confined beilneath the cellar for holding the cellar as a' whole in position againstthe axle and against the hub.

20. In a device of the character described and in combination with anaxle box, an axle passing therethrough and a wheel on one end of saidaxle wlth its hub bearing against said axle box, a lubricant cellarmounted for horizontal and vertical movement as a whole between the legsof the axle box so as to apply lubricants to the axle and also to thehub, and means confined beneath the cellar for moving the cellar bothhorizontally and vertically at the same time. 21. In a device of thecharacter described tween the legs of the axle box, members mountedbetween and bearin against the legs of the axle box, said mem ers beingadjustable so as to force said legs of the axle box apart to release thecellar.

22. In a device of the character described and in combination With anaxle box, an axl passing therethrough and a Wheel on one end of saidaxle with its hub bearing against said axle box, a lubricant cellarmounted between the legs of the axle box, adjustablemeans locatedbetween the legs of the axle box whereby they may be forced apart torelease the cellar.

23. In a device of the character described and in combination with anaxle box, an axle passing therethrough and a Wheel on one end of saidaxle with itsvhub bearing against said axle box, a lubricant cellarmounted between the legs of the axle box, a dust ring mounted in the.hub facing of the axle box and bearing against the hub of the wheel toprevent the entrance of dust.

In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name.

ISRAEL SCRANION.

